Soulcalibur IV (Premium Edition) Walkthrough & Strategy Guide

Published: Jan 31, 2008

Soulcalibur IV Characters

Maxi

Overview

Maxi is a very unique character in that almost all of his attacks leave him in one of a handful of different stances. These stances have their own move sets that can lead back to the same stance, neutral stance, or another stance altogether. Mastering Maxi requires a lot of patience and strict attention, because it's important to learn which stance moves lead to and which attacks you can execute from those automatic stance changes.

If it sounds confusing, don't sweat it—the confusion actually works in your favor. Maxi's mix-up game is among the best in Soulcalibur, as his myriad branching attack chains allow you to keep the opponent always guessing. Though we've still highlighted some key moves for Maxi below, know that it's not as vital to focus on these as it is when playing with other characters. Focus more on mastering the mix-ups, throwing in low attacks to force your opponents to block low, and then switching to mid hits to catch 'em off guard and possibly toss them off the ring.

Maxi is available by default.

Key Moves & Combos

+ K K or + K B

Illusion Kicks : : These two separate moves give a basic example of Maxi's potential for mix-ups. Both moves start the same, with a low + K. Even if your opponent successfully guards this attack, you've still put them in a pickle—if you choose to follow with K you'll execute another low kick, though if you elect to tap B instead you hit mid. That mid hit will knock opponents into the air, allowing a quick juggle (or a ring out).

K K

(While Rising)

Dragon Scream : : If on the odd chance you find yourself playing defensively as Maxi, you can retaliate quickly with this pair of kicks that knock opponents far back (and off stages if the situation permits). You can get a similar set of kicks from the Right Cross stance (tap A A for an easy route to the stance). From Right Cross, simply tap K K K to execute a trio of kicks, one low, one mid and one high.

+ K K

Guillotine Kick : : If you watch this attack, it looks like a combo, but it only combos if you hit as a counter. What's cool about the attack is how quickly it forces an opponent to switch from low to high guard. As well, the attack keeps Maxi real low to the ground, making it a great counter to high attacks.

A + K A A B

Serpent's Desire : : The A + K portion of this move simply triggers the Left Inner stance, which you can also get to by various attacks. What makes it especially useful in this instance, though, is that the transition to Left Inner acts as a side step, letting you wiggle around vertical attacks. The trio of hits afterward all hit mid, and you can even modify the last hit by holding B to charge a guard break.